The City of Cortland Fire Department employs 36 career firefighters of varied rank from firefighter to Chief of Department. Career staff are hired and promoted based on the New York State Civil Service requirements.

Requirements:• You must be 18 years of age and have a high school diploma or equivalent. • In NYS, to be eligible for an interview, you must score a minimum grade on the Firefighter Civil Service Exam. This exam is offered every 1 to 4 years based on the need to fill positions. Candidates on the list must maintain their certifications on file with the Cortland County Civil Service office. The Cortland Fire Department requires all candidates to hold a NYS Emergency Medical Technician Basic certification and a valid NYS driver’s license to be eligible on the certified list. Once positions become available candidates will be canvassed as to continued interest and expected to respond by mail. Interviews are scheduled from this list.

Training:Once hired, career firefighters attend a NYS credentialed Fire Academy. Successful completion results in a NYS Professional Firefighter Certification consisting of a minimum of 229 hours of training in firefighting operations, basic hazardous materials, basic technical rescue operations, truck and pumper operations and other specialized skills. In their first year of employment probationary firefighters will complete additional coursework in other areas of certification such as code enforcement, confined space operations and additional technical rescue courses.

On-Shift:Once on shift, firefighters are responsible for the daily maintenance of the fire stations and equipment. They respond to all manner of emergency calls, from medical emergencies to natural disasters and everything in between. Firefighting staff complete safety and code inspections for public assembly spaces and rental properties to ensure the safety of the public and occupants. In addition, firefighters are found providing education in many venues in the City, from schools to local businesses and civic groups. Since the firehouse is staffed 24/7, many folks stop in for tours of our historic building and to have pictures taken with the fire trucks.